Can building a small house for grandma in the backyard help with the housing crisis?

In many cases—yes, although admittedly at a slower pace. Accessory Dwelling Units, or ADUs, are smaller independent living units that include a kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping quarters and can be contained within a single-family detached home or be a separate, detached building on the same lot as the main house. ADUs are one of the tools in the Land Use toolbox that cities and counties can utilize to affect housing prices and availability. 

ADUs provide many benefits, whether they are internal, attached or detached from the main residence. Most importantly, they have the potential to increase housing affordability for both the homeowner and tenant. ADUs can also:

• Create a wider range of housing options within the community
• Enable older adults to stay near family as they age
• Provide housing for caregivers or adult children
• Generate rental income for homeowners
• Facilitate better use of the existing housing fabric in established neighborhoods
• Help cities and towns address the growing issue of housing affordability and availability

Accessory dwelling units are currently allowed in some municipalities, including Aurora, Bennett, Cherry Hills Village, Englewood, Littleton, and Sheridan. 

In the fall of 2021, Arapahoe County began exploring adding ADUs to the County Land Code. A set of draft regulations is currently available for viewing and the public is invited to comment on them through April 7.

While their number is relatively small in Arapahoe County, ADUs help make an impact on the number of available housing units throughout the county.